The Next Gen Agriculture Mentorship Program is the most comprehensive industry-wide program available for young people in Saskatchewan.
In partnership with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and the Government of Canada, the Next Gen Agriculture Mentorship program is delivered by Canadian Western Agribition and accepts eight (8) successful applicants into an 18-month mentorship experience that includes:
The Next Gen Agriculture Mentorship program aims to create a community of graduates with a deeper understanding of agriculture, business, community, leadership and advocacy for the industry. Graduates will benefit from the most immersive industry-wide mentorship experience available.
Who can apply?
The Next Gen Agriculture Mentorship program is open to any Saskatchewan resident aged 18-39. At least 6 of the 8 successful applicants will be involved in primary agricultural production.
What are the education requirements for the program?
There is no formal education required for the Next Gen Agriculture Mentorship program. Applicants will be selected based on industry involvement, existing skills, interests, abilities, and desired outcomes.
What types of references are required with my application?
Applicants will be required to provide character references along with their application, although any, and all references will be considered. CWA’s selection committee will check references to ensure fit, ability, and commitment.
What is the selection process?
Applicants will apply online. Applications will be reviewed and considered by the CWA Mentorship Advisory Committee and may include an interview process. Successful applicants will then be paired with an appropriate mentor and will develop, in consultation with their mentor and CWA, a specifically designed mentorship curriculum.
Who will my mentor be?
CWA’s Mentorship Advisory Committee will pair mentees with industry leading mentors based on existing skills, interests, abilities, and desired outcomes. CWA’s mentor partners will be a cross section of leaders in the fields of grain/pulses/oilseed production, livestock, value-added processing, and entrepreneurship.
When does the Next Gen Agriculture Mentorship program begin and what is the duration?
Successful applicants will be notified in February and be informed of their mentor pairing by mid March. The formal 18-month program officially begins once the mentor pairings are announced in March and will conclude in July of the following year.
What will the Next Gen Agriculture Mentorship program include?
CWA, in partnership with the Ministries of Agriculture, has designed an outcome-based mentorship program that includes skill training, board governance training, industry learning events, networking opportunities and one-on-one time with mentors. The Next Gen Agriculture Mentorship program will fund the required mentee travel, training, expenses and related costs associated with the mentorship program.
What are the basic requirements for the Next Gen Agriculture Mentorship program?
All successful applicants will be required to attend some compulsory programmed events which include, but are not limited to, a mentorship kick-off event, networking and training events at Canadian Western Agribition, and board governance training.
Mentees are expected to actively initiate and schedule interaction with their mentors and seek out training opportunities that build their competencies in their desired areas.
How will the COVID-19 pandemic alter my mentorship experience?
CWA remains hopeful that in-person conferences and networking events will soon be available. Should conferences and networking events not be, CWA has been planning multiple events both virtually and in small groups, following government regulations. CWA ensures all mentees will get value of the Next Gen Agriculture Mentorship program so long as they are committed to their mentors and learning experience.
For more information, please contact mentorship@agribition.com
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Canadian Western Agribition is proud to partner with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and the Government of Canada through Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
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